Based on the population statistics from 2021, the number of children below the age of 18 years old total up to an estimated 9.13 million which is 28% of the total Malaysian population. This means they make up almost one third of the population and therefore deserve to be given the best start in life and they deserve to be happy and healthy.
Ensuring that children and teenagers can develop in a good environment will create a positive domino effect that lasts until their adult years. Today’s commitment towards the welfare of children is an investment towards the future of the country.
Universal Child Benefits
The issue of stunted growth among children in Malaysia is at a critical level and it has been reported to be worse than the rate of stunted children in Gaza and Iraq today. The high price of milk has excluded many parents from providing milk and nutritional food in the first 1,000 days after the birth of their children. To solve this problem, every newborn will be given cash benefits that will be deposited monthly to the parents’ account up to the age of 6 years old.
Guaranteeing Citizenship
Amending Article 15(2) to guarantee citizenship for any child born in Malaysia to either a Malaysian mother or father regardless of race and religion. Article 14(1)(b) in the Constitution will also be amended to allow Malaysian mothers who give birth outside of Malaysia to confer citizenship to their children in parity with fathers who already possess the right to do so, and this will extensively benefit their children. Simultaneously, amendments will also be made to provide automatic citizenship to adopted children.
Children’s Department
Children’s welfare is becoming increasingly threatened due to various dangers such as abuse, sexual harassment, and also neglect. These issues require concrete solutions. At the same time, contemporary trends such as social media also impact children’s development. The establishment of a Children’s Department or Agency will keep these threats in check and allow proper intervention when needed to ensure our children are safe.
1,500 Child Protection Officers
Expediting the addition of 1,500 child protection officers under the Department of Social Welfare to promptly reach the ideal ratio of 1 officer to 30 children. This critical demand exists due to the fact that currently 1 officer will be tasked to handle up to 100 cases involving children.
Restructuring Early Childhood Education
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the enrollment percentage for children aged 4 and 5 years old was only 83.5%. When the nation was hit by the pandemic, 1,394 kindergartens were forced to shut down, resulting in a significant reduction of preschool classrooms. On top of that, the post-pandemic effects have increased the number of families who cannot afford to pay preschool fees. To overcome these issues, the early childhood education system must be restructured to take into account all relevant factors such as the socioeconomic status of families and the assistance required to help the children return to classes and resume learning.
Setting up Child Rights Committee at Civil and Syariah Courts
Setting up a Child Rights Committee at Civil and Syariah courts to help children solve various court issues such as child marriage, custodial rights, and visitation rights. In our current context, children are not able to get legal representation in court and this potentially results in their rights being sidelined. The Child Rights Committee will ensure that the rights and interests of children are protected during court cases.
National Strategic Plan in Handling the Causes of Child Marriage 2025
It is commonly known that underage marriage exists in Malaysia, however not many are aware of its negative effects towards children, especially girls. To solve this issue, HARAPAN will resume efforts outlined in the National Strategic Plan in HandlingCauses of Child Marriage 2025, as implemented in January 2020.